It’s not always apparent when a patient is struggling with their mental health. That’s why it’s essential for health care professionals to ask patients how they are doing — not just physically, but mentally as well.

The theme for Suicide Prevention Month 2025 is “Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.” This is especially relevant for health care professionals, as you are often the first or even the only person to have these important conversations with patients who may be at risk for suicide.

Learn more about how to assess suicide risk in your patients and how to support their mental health by exploring the resources below.

For additional assistance with supporting a specific patient, request a consult with MC3 psychiatrists by phone or online.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.

Coming soon: MC3 Youth Suicide Prevention Video Series

We're developing a five-part Youth Suicide Prevention Video Series to guide health care providers in the assessment and management of suicide risk among youth. More information coming soon!

Resources

We've gathered several notable resources to help empower providers during Suicide Prevention Month:

Distressed child sits on a couch next to a woman holding her hand.

How to talk to kids about suicide

Learn how to make kids feel safe discussing mental health in this article from Everyday Health, including insights from Dr. Joanna Quigley, MC3 Consulting Psychiatrist and mother of three.

Read article

Mental health icons with illustration of male psychiatrist.

How to help someone, or yourself, in a mental health crisis

Suicide Prevention Month is not only about helping patients, but also health care professionals who are struggling. Whether you are seeking mental health support for yourself or someone else, a recent Michigan Medicine Health Lab article outlined the different levels of care available throughout Michigan, including MC3's Emergency & Crisis Services Consultation.

Read article

Depressed teen sitting with her head in her hand being comforted by a person sitting next to her.

MC3 Pediatric Resource Library: Suicide & Risk of Harm resources

Geared toward pediatricians and family medicine providers, this toolkit includes handouts for families, screening tools, treatment guidelines, and recommended websites for treating suicide and self-harm.

Explore toolkit

Distressed pregnant patient sits in doctor's office being comforted by her doctor sitting next to her.

MC3 Perinatal Provider Toolkit

This toolkit for perinatal providers includes mental health screening tools, guidance for assessment and treatment, and insights on how to talk to patients about mental health.

Explore toolkit

MC3 Clinical Pearls: Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior

In this 16-minute video, child psychologist Alejandra Arango, Ph.D., shares straightforward recommendations for the assessment and management of suicidal and/or non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among youth.

Watch video

Suicide Risk During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Dr. Maria Muzik, MC3 Perinatal Medical Director, participated in a Michigan Medicine Mind Matters webinar earlier this year on the topic of perinatal suicide.

Watch webinar & read article

We invite you to share these resources with other providers, health care professionals, colleagues, and parents. We all play a role in saving lives.

MC3 is part of the Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry and is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) via general funds, Medicaid Administration funds, and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funds.